Current News

Social Security Taxes for 2019

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that the Social Security wage base will increase in 2019. The wage base will be $132,900 beginning with the first payroll of 2019. The maximum contribution will be $8,239.80. The Medicare portion of FICA does not have a wage base or maximum contribution; however, 2019 wages in excess of $200,000 will be subject to an extra 0.9% Medicare tax.

FICA tax that comes out of your check each payday is the social security tax. The FICA tax rate for 2019 is 6.2% for both the employee and employer. The MQFE tax is the Medicare portion and is taxed at the rate of 1.45% of taxable wages and has no maximum.

Optional Life Insurance

The premiums you pay through payroll deduction for the first $50,000 of Optional Life Insurance are now treated as pre-tax dollars. This means the deduction reduces your taxable wages before taxes are calculated on the wages. The premiums for coverage over $50,000 will be treated as any other payroll deduction.

Retirement Plan Limitations for 2019

The IRS has announced that the limitations on retirement plans for 2018 are as follows:

Retirement Limitations

401(K), 457(e), and 403(b) Deferred Limit

$ 19,000

Age 50+ Catch-up Contributions Limit

$ 6,000

457(b) Pre-Retirement Catch-up Limit

$ 19,000

*Annual amount may differ for individual participants in certain cases.